Message From Head of SchoolThe WIS Board is proud to announce the appointment of a
new Head of School –
Mr Anthony Baron – who will commence at the end of August 2017

Following the early departure of Mr Dwight Mott in December
2016, the Board undertook a recruitment process to identify the new Head of School.
After careful consideration of the attributes and skills required to lead Woodford
and thrive in our unique context in Solomon Islands, the position was advertised
internationally and locally from March 2017. Thirty-two applications were received
from around the world. From this group, eight applications were shortlisted and
five very strong candidates were invited to interview.

Anthony (Tony) Baron was a ‘stand-out’ candidate. He is an experienced
international school leader with over 30 years working in international schools
in seven countries over four continents. His first Head of School post was over
20 years ago. Since then, he has led schools in introducing and developing
international programs, including IB and Cambridge programs, and has vast experience
in strengthening the management and financial resilience of schools like Woodford.
Tony has an excellent track record in ‘staying the course’ at schools
he has led – he was at his most recent school in Angola for eight years and
before that had five years at an international school in The Bahamas and four years
at an international school in Malawi. Tony is passionate about prioritising the
development of both staff and students, giving them the tools necessary to empower
them and the space for them to express themselves. He also believes in celebrating
the diversity of international schools while maintaining a community school atmosphere.
His track record demonstrates his capacity and commitment to follow through on such
passions and each school’s strategic priorities. The Board has full
confidence in Tony and looks forward to introducing him to students, parents, staff
and the Honiara community late in Term Three.The Board takes this opportunity to extend a
special thank you and heartfelt appreciation to Ms Rachel MacKinnon for stepping
up into the Acting Head of School role in challenging circumstances following Mr
Mott’s sudden departure. Ms Rachel embraced the challenges and worked with
enviable determination and passion to ensure Woodford started 2017 without missing
a beat. She restructured leadership and streamlined management to better align the
school’s structure with its strategic direction and to enable the most productive
use of staff and other resources. She stewarded the school from a position of financial
uncertainty to one of stability and growing strength. Further, under Ms Rachel’s
leadership, the school has strengthened its connections with the broader Honiara
community, including a new inter-school sports program and the inaugural Careers
Market, both initiated and organised by Woodford. Our engagement with Solomon Island
Government ministries and other stakeholders has also strengthened. Student learning
has benefitted from the school’s revitalised and modernised systems for class
planning and staff development and appraisal, both of which more effectively draw
on the expertise of the Woodford Educational Support Team (WEST) and senior staff
to ensure continuous improvement in every classroom. Also under Ms Rachel’s
leadership, the MAP standardised testing system has been introduced, improved student
reports have been developed, ICT systems have been upgraded, safety procedures and
business systems have been strengthened and a new library building has been donated
to the school, the latter reflecting Ms Rachel’s powers of persuasion and
persistence. She has done an outstanding job as Acting Head of School. Ms Rachel
will continue as Acting Head of School until the end of a brief handover period
with Mr Baron. She will then resume her substantive position as Deputy Head,
where her expertise in ‘teaching and learning’ will enable an even greater
focus on ensuring Woodford International School students receive high quality, engaging
and effective teaching and enriching opportunities to develop and dream, both inside
and outside the classroom.

A Welcome Message from Mr Anthony Baron

My name is Anthony Baron and I am
delighted to be writing to you all as the newly appointed Head of School at Woodford
International School.

Firstly, a big thank you to you the parents and staff for your continued support
for the school. It is this support that has clearly been instrumental in in enabling
Woodford to reach the position it is at today. It is a privilege to be appointed
as the Head of School for such a successful, ambitious and popular school.
I am very keen to start work with all members of the Woodford community to build
upon the strengths of the school and to secure its position as one of the leading
schools in the Pacific region.

As to my own background, I was born in London, U.K and studied Economics at the
University of Essex obtaining both BA and MA qualifications. I also gained a PGCE
from St. Mary’s College, then part of London University, and a further MA
in Educational Planning and Development at the Institute of Education, London University.
My first teaching post was at a comprehensive school in Neasden, London and my latest
was as Director of Luanda international School, Angola. I served for eight
years in this latter role, during which time the school developed into one of Africa’s
leading schools, driving the academic and all-round achievement of the school and
gaining exceptional reviews from IB, CIS and NEASC visitors. Prior to this
role, I have been a Head of School in the Seychelles and The Bahamas and have had
other senior roles in Malawi, Bahrain, Cambodia and the U.K. I have, for family
reasons, been out of full time education for two years but am back and raring to
go.

As you will be aware, the school will be introducing the Cambridge International
A Level program and examinations from the beginning of the next school year. This
and other initiatives bring with them challenges but also new opportunities, not
only for Woodford but also the whole Solomon Island community. Drawing on
existing relationships with parents is an integral part of this change and I will
meet as many of you as possible at upcoming parent forums, at the school gate or
in my office to listen to your thoughts and ideas and to see how we might best report
details of progress in the months ahead.

The clear and distinctive strategic plan will guide my team with regards to what
happens in the classroom, in extra-curricular activities and in pastoral care within
the school. Our Mission at WIS is to “build a community of learners that builds
on each child's strengths, draws from our diverse local context and a rich international
curriculum, to develop globally ready learners equipped to shape their future and
achieve their dreams”. To fulfill the Mission will involve high expectations
of students and teachers; excellence in academic work; excellence and a high degree
of participation in extra-curricular pursuits; high quality pastoral care; a genuine
focus on the individual; and the development of leadership skills and lifelong learning.
Underpinning all of this is the essential partnership between parents and teachers.
I will work hard at establishing strong bonds within the school communities and
across the School. The opportunities afforded by the “all through”
nature of Woodford are considerable for both younger and older students.

Above all though, I aim to ensure our students feel happy, secure and valued. The
community is key to this and I am so looking forward to discovering the country
with the cleanest air in the world and its wonderful beaches. And most of
all, I look forward to meeting the students, teachers and parents of Woodford, as
well as the broader Honiara and Solomon Islands community.

Testimonials

We found that on arriving to Woodford all the staff and students were warm, friendly and very welcoming. They make you feel accepted and at home from day one. The entire staffs are wonderful, reception staffs are great and know your name when you walk through the door, all the auxiliary staff say good morning and greet you with a smile, teachers are welcoming, friendly and keen to help settle the children in. In a country that is so different to that of what my children have known, they are happier in school here than they were in Australia and that has enabled us to settle here too.